Configurational aspects and structural problems of systems integration, maintenance, containment and shielding for next-generation tokamaks (INTOR and NET)

The paper reviews the configurational aspects and the structural mechanics of the overall engineering design of next-generation tokamak-type experimental power fusion reactors by describing and analysing two of the present major studies, INTOR and NET. Some safety aspects, related to containment and shielding during operation and maintenance, are also described. INTOR and NET are both considered because they constitute two different, significant approaches to defining the reactor mechanical configuration. The paper introduces the assumptions and the system integration procedures adopted to determine the mechanical configurations. The two designs are described and the structural and engineering problems related to the overall architectural aspects are identified. Finally, the main structural problems and the solution adopted are discussed.